November Favourites
11/30/2015

November Favourites




As much as I'd like not to begin with the cliched, oh my gosh how is it the end of November remark, I feel like it's necessary. This month has gone way, way too quickly. It's been a month of change and success, happiness and a little bit of sadness but all in all it's been pretty amazing. There's some products I succumbed to the hype with on show and then some I fell in love with all by myself. Plus that album I'm not going to be tiring of any time soon..

Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer-My lovely Mum bought this back for me from Sydney and I am so thankful she did. This primer seems to work like a skincare treatment+makeup extender in one. Unlike most primers, it is really moisturising and creamy so it feels much more nourishing on the skin. Would I use this in place of a moisturiser? No but as a pre-makeup step it is rather lovely.

Becca x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector in Champagne Pop, limited edition-I succumbed to the hype and believe the hype because this is perfection to the next level. It's the most flattering highlighter and doesn't settle into pores or leave unnecessary glittery stripes across your face. This champagne-gold colour is warm but not overly so. I really wish this wasn't limited edition because when it is discontinued I'm going to be wanting a backup.

The Comforter Shower Cream*-One of Lush's Oxford Street exclusives made its way into some of the Christmas sets this year. Can I get an amen? If you like The Comforter bubble bar then you're bound to love this. It's the blackcurrant, lolly scent we all know and love in cream form and it's bright pink. What more could you want, other than this being stocked in the Southern Hemisphere Lush stores?

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Celebrated-All my Tarte blushers could be in here this month, but that would have made for one very crowded post. There's just something about these blushers. Like Champagne Pop, they're also very flattering on the skin and don't settle into pores. They're also crazy long-wearing and don't fade too much, if at all when I'm wearing them. That's saying something too, because my cheeks seem to eat makeup like it's going out of fashion. 

Clinique Lip Pop+Primer in Melon Pop*-I know a few people who love Clinique's lipsticks so I had high hopes for this new one. It did not disappoint. Melon Pop is a peachy pink that leans more on the nude side of things. In other words, it's the perfect Sophie colour. At this time of year I seem to exclusively wear nude lipsticks, more so if they're peachier so it's right up my alley and is getting used heaps right now. It pairs nicely with their Cheek Pop blush too if you're a fan of coordinating makeup.

25 x Adele-Adele's left us all in the dark for four years, wondering if she'd end our deprivation for her freakin' amazing tunes. Plot spoiler: she did. If she doesn't completely clean up this awards season I will eat my words. Seriously. 25 is much more uplifting than previous Adele albums, which she herself has described as melancholy. There's still the classic, nostalgic Adele song or two thrown into the mix and a song or four that'll make you cry but the tone of this one is much less mournful. It's a tough call but I think this may have taken 19's place as my favourite Adele album. Stand out tracks: When We Were Young, I Miss You, Remedy (the whole entire thing basically).

Love Style Life by Garance Dore*-I say this a lot but I feel like a lot of lifestyle books let me down, more so if they contain the cliched 'wear this, style your lounge like this' tips as if they're the absolute definition of style. I like to think style can be learned or dictated to a degree but it is largely discovered and curated on our own. Anyway, Love Style Life is a curation of everything that defines Garance's aesthetic and how she mixes her Parisian taste for New York City. She also talks about how she grew Garance Dore into the flourishing business and incredibly rad blog it is today. This book is beautifully presented and is as inspiring as it is hilarious. If you're stuck on what to get a girlfriend this Christmas, buy her this.

-What have you been loving during November?

*PR Sample
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The Freedom Homeware Haul
11/27/2015

The Freedom Homeware Haul



A little while back I was lucky enough to get a sneaky preview of Freedom Furniture's homeware selection for Summer, as well as their exclusive festive range. Being the decor+interior design lover that I am, this was a dream come true for me and I couldn't wait to go shopping after. Freedom very kindly gifted us a voucher to use instore and I took advantage of it a couple of weeks ago. The experience was akin to what I imagine a kid being left alone in a candy store would feel. Here's what made its way home with me...

Ecoya Sweet Fruits and Pink Champagne Candle-Candles aren't really the sort of thing I buy for myself if I am entirely honest but this one smelt so decadent that it had to be purchased. Its scent is tropical yet the champagne notes give it an air of sophistication as well. 

Cuddle Mug-Firstly, how cute is that name? This is the white cup speckled with blue in the photo and it'd like to contain your hot and cold beverages of choice. Sorry, channeling Frankie mag here. Seriously though, this is very cute and they have some other lovely colours for this design too so go give 'em a look.

Galerie Tumbler-Now this is stunning, the clear tumblers edged with gold honeycomb detailing. From memory they're handpainted too. These would look so lovely on your table at Christmas time or during the year if you want to keep the festive vibes going. 

Lagoon Cereal Bowl-This is so stunning. My photo's not going to do it justice. The glazed interior reminds me of what I imagine the water in Greece looks like. There's a range of pieces in this style like dinner plates and salad bowls plus there's a similar design in a darker blue colour as well. It's a bold claim but this might just be my favourite buy of all from Freedom.

Delight Side Plate-"She said, just like Marie Antoinette". This appealed to my sweet treat loving self and I was attracted by the gold lettering and matte black background. I'm really loving the matte ceramics at the moment. They have these plates available with more festive sayings too and a sweet one that says something like 'it's lovely to have you here' which would be such a neat thing to serve guests breakfasts on. 

Gold placemat-I'll be honest, this was purchased primarily for photographic purposes. Blogger life...However I will probably end up using it for its intended use as well. There were silver ones as well I believe but they weren't identical. 

-Have you hauled any homewares lately? What did you grab?

*Have an amazing weekend everyone! TGIF. No really, T.G.I.F. Maybe that's just my reaction at present because I'm tired but it's been a long week so the weekend is warmly welcomed. Despite my best attempts today, the Uber Kittens won't be a reality *sad face*. This weekend I'm going to the lovely Amy's wedding and that's about it really. Have a good one and I'll see y'all on Monday with my November Favourites. 

**All of these products were redeemed with a gift voucher, with the exception of the Ecoya Candle which I paid for myself. As always, all love of #homegoals worthy items are my own.
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A Christmas Wishlist
11/25/2015

A Christmas Wishlist




As someone has just reminded me, next week it is December. I actually told them they were joking, proceeded to look at my calendar and momentarily freaked out. Not gonna lie, I haven't done quite as much Christmas shopping yet as I would have liked (thanks car bills, you legends xox) but anyway, I digress. Today I thought I'd make a lil' wishlist of what I'd love and will probably continue daydreaming about finding under the tree. Nobody would spend $140 on a book for me, let's be real but nonetheless it's fun making wishlists. Here's what I'd love this Christmas. Santa, take note...


Grace: Thirty Years of Fashion at Vogue-This book was out of print for a number of years but it's been re-released. I'm not sure if it's a limited print run but y'know the drill, when you want something bad enough, you chase it. Now the idea of spending $148 on a book does frighten me somewhat but this would be such an amazing gift. Grace Coddington is one of my favourite people in fashion and her editorials are nothing short of mesmerising. 

Meadowlark Dagger Solitaire Ring-I have quite a few pieces of Karen Walker jewelry now so it's time to broaden my NZ jewelry horizons, in my opinion. I've always lusted after Meadowlark rings but never bitten the bullet and purchased one. Maybe this can be my next special occasion buy. It's simple but detailed enough to keep me happy. 

Oh Gosh Cindy 'Leslie Knope' Print-Oh Gosh Cindy is easily one of my favourite stores on Etsy. Her prints are just beautiful. My love for Parks and Recreation+Amy Poehler is well documented around these parts now so the reason this print is here shouldn't require elaboration. 

GlamGlow Poutmud Fizzy Lip Exfoliating Treatment & Wet Lip Balm Duo-This product from GlamGlow is attracting me mainly because I am curious. It's a combination of a lip scrub and then a balm and sounds like the perfect thing for keeping your lips nice and nourished.

Florence Album Cover Faded Vest-This really isn't an essential but I do love these sorts of tops, especially in Summer with some denim cutoffs. Chicness goes out the window in Summer, let's be real. Also, it's Florence freaking Welch. No explanation needed..

Kate Spade Glitter Bug Stacy Wallet-My current wallet is actually broken and I'm kinda over buying cheap wallets that fall apart so I'm ready to invest in one that's built to last. Kate Spade is now available in a shop here in Auckland and I've been eyeing up her wallets for the longest time. Psst, Santa....

-What's on your Christmas wishlist this year?
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Comfort and Joy x Lush
11/23/2015

Comfort and Joy x Lush




When it comes to Christmas sets that pack a punch into your pamper night or day, Lush are the ones to rule them all. They cater for a range of budgets, from your $20 Secret Santa buys to the more luxe sets of all the bath treats you could ever need. Today I wanted to show you the Comfort and Joy set because it is one of my favourites that they have out this Christmas

The Comfort and Joy* gift set contains a lovely mix of bath and shower products, although it is more shower friendly so that's handy if you're shopping for somebody without a bath. In this set you get a shower gel, a shower cream, a mini tub of body conditioner and a soap. Side note: This kind of kit would be perfect to give a guest or even someone in a bridal party because it has such a perfect mix of products.

The shower gel included here is the ever-popular Twilight shower gel. It's the same scent as the bath bomb of the same name, a blend of lavender and tonka. I'll be honest, this isn't my favourite scent because I'm not overly fond of lavender scented things but it's okay because the rest of the box makes up for it. Next we have an exclusive product in this kit, The Comforter Shower Cream *squeals*. If you're a Lush fanatic, you'll know this product is currently only exclusive to Lush's flagship Oxford St store over in the UK. It's making a cheeky appearance in some of the sets this Christmas and a little bird told me it may be setting sail for other countries next year. If you love The Comforter bubble bar you're gonna love this. It's basically somewhere between an in-shower moisturiser and a shower gel. It smells absolutely amazing and it's a bright berry pink. We're here for the visually pleasing aesthetics as well. 

There's a mini sample of the Ro's Argan Body Conditioner in here too. This is such a handy, travel-friendly size and it's perfect if you've been holding out on buying this because it is on the pricey side. It's rose scented but it's not overpoweringly floral and is super nourishing on the skin. Last but not least there's a chunk of the Reindeer Rock soap, a Christmas exclusive. This is one of my favourite Christmas soaps from Lush and it is lingonberry scented so it reminds me of Summer fruit, my fave.

-Have you picked up any Christmas products from Lush this year? Which are your favourites?

*PR Sample but as always, all love and appreciation for Christmas goodies is very real.
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Taking Stock: Volume Two
11/20/2015

Taking Stock: Volume Two




Happy Friday! In lieu of my usual photographic roundup I thought I'd revisit a post I did in May. I like this tag and while it may not be as enticing as pictures, it really gets across what I have been up to in words..

Making: As of right now, dinner and also some pages for my visual journal, all to the sweet track that is Sorry by Justin Bieber. Don't try to pretend you're not obsessed with it. 
Cooking: Meatballs, pasta and mushrooms. Carb loading slash it's 8pm when I'm writing this. I came this close to ordering takeaways but because I had a coffee I am all goood.
Drinking: Water.
Reading: Four or so different books. Am I machine? Not really...I just keep moving titles around depending on what priority they are to be finished i.e. library book, a book I'm reviewing for a post etc. So, at the moment I am reading: Love Style Life, To All The Boys I've Loved Before (not sure how I feel about this one), Money and Mindfulness and Wildflower.
Wanting: To somehow find a Fleetwood Mac ticket for Sunday's show in the streets. I need to see Stevie Nicks guys, it's problematic (perhaps on a first world level) that their show falls the exact same weekend as Florence's.
Looking: At this screen. Riveting...
Playing: Spotify's top 40 for New Zealand. It seems to consist entirely of Justin Bieber's new album and I am okay with that. 
Wishing: I was in California on a road trip with a full battery on my camera, the best soundtrack on Earth, friends, books and sunshine.
Enjoying: Watching Season 2 of Parks and Rec. I relate to April Ludgate a lot, it's kinda scary actually. 
Waiting: For the weekend! I'm seeing Florence and the Machine on Saturday and then on Sunday I have one of my best friend's bridal showers to go to.
Liking: Kikki K's new collections. That store is dangerous guys, but dangerous and addictive in the best possible way.
Wondering: What my first day at a new job is going to be like tomorrow and also wondering what kind of dress code they have. It seems like smart-casual but I'm wondering if they go extra casual on Fridays. Hmm..
Loving: Scream Queens. I am obsessed with that show.
Pondering: What I'll be doing next year-will I be studying? Will I still be juggling all the hats? Who knows..
Considering: What to get my Secret Santa for Christmas. Myself and a few of my friends are doing it. We have a $20 limit and I've got so many ideas for her. I just need to condense it down to the best one.
Watching: Scream Queens, Parks and Rec Season 2 and re-watching Gilmore Girls Season 2. 
Marveling: At some of my newest Instagram discoveries. More on that soon.
Needing: New shoes that aren't casual, boots or high heels. I don't like shoe shopping either so this may take a while.
Wearing: A black muscle-back tee, a black skirt and a ring from Lovisa. Basically my work clothes but I took my jacket off.
Followingfromroses blog and loving her feed and blog and overall aesthetic. Such a gorgeous beauty and lifestyle blog.
Noticing: That I've listened to Sorry x Justin Bieber four or five times in the last hour because I keep switching Spotify playlists..
Knowing: That I am in a much better place mentally than I was a year ago. I feel so much more happier and content with who I am and where I am going. It might not be the most direct of paths but it's working for me so yeah. Cryptic but I'm sure some of you will get what I mean.
Thinking: About what I am wearing tomorrow and what I'll be doing when I get home. I can answer that second one for you, listening to Adele's new album immediately.
Admiring: Some of the inspirational images I've torn out of magazines recently.
Sorting: Out a letter I have to write tonight. Fun times.
Buying: Nothing *sad face*, hooray for car bills. Although I may just have to get some Florence merch on Saturday. 
Getting: Excited as anything for the weekend...mainly Florence. I love ya A, but Florence is going to be something else.
Bookmarking: Pages in books when I'm half asleep and don't want to finish mid-sentence or paragraph because I know I won't remember a thing the next day.
Disliking: That Amy is moving to Australia really soon. It's not that far away, but far enough to make me sad. I guess that gives me excuses to head across the ditch though!
Opening: Same as last time, the new Mecca Christmas catalogue. I wonder how many hints I can leave for Santa. Should I bookmark the pages?
Giggling: At April hanging up the phone on people calling Ron Swanson on Parks & Rec before they've even started talking. This sums up my attitude to phone calls sometimes (ok, a lot of the time) perfectly.
Feeling: Content.
Snacking: On the Little Island Banana Bean icecream. It's dairy free and I love bananas so yeah. It's an exciting thing.
Coveting: An Ikea Billy bookcase, and also a new DSLR so I can film HD things and not kill my wrists using my phone to film.
Helping: People with marketing things and writing things. Yep.
Hearing: Hailee Steinfeld declaring that she loves herself and doesn't need anybody else. Good message, even if some people seem to have their minds in the gutter about her lyrics.
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Things I Love Thursday
11/19/2015

Things I Love Thursday




It's been a while since I did a post like this around these parts, although I do try to do the odd condensed version on Instagram when I remember. There's been a lot of new bits 'n bobs that I've been loving lately so I thought I'd round up some of my favourites for you this Thursday. They'd all make pretty awesome gifts if I do say so myself. Any excuse to bring up our favourite C word eh? 

Wildflower by Drew Barrymore*-I was intrigued by this book when I requested it for review but at the same time I was hesitant by it. The reason being that I love Drew Barrymore and I didn't want to be let down by this book. Thankfully it hasn't disappointed in the slightest. I would categorise this as a memoir but really it's more a series of life essays that don't really follow chronologically. I quite like the looser structure in that sense though. She talks about her career, people who have had a lasting impact on her life, her legacy and what she wants her daughters to know. It's a really fascinating insight into who she is as a person and how everything in her life has shaped her into the kickass chick she is today. It's well worth a read if you enjoy memoirs or are just a Drew Barrymore fan.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Champagne Pop, limited edition-Highlighters are really something I've not embraced until this year. I think in part it's because I was using the wrong ones, i.e. the ones with oversized glitter particles. Anyway, I couldn't resist the hype when it came to this highlighter and it's absolutely beautiful. It's described as a "soft white gold with peachy undertones" and in my opinion it's a really unique colour compared to other highlighters out there. It's very flattering and looks gorgeous applied. Look up some videos featuring it and you'll see what I mean. 

The Body Shop Honey Bronze Tinted Leg Mist*-This was in one of my favourites posts recently so I won't go on about this too much. It's featuring here today though because I've started using it religiously again and have just been reminded how much I like it. If you're scared of fake tans and don't want to look unnaturally bronzed, this is for you. Your limbs are left with a hint of colour and glow. If you're not a fan of it, you can simply scrub the product off. It is pretty difficult to go crazy with this one though. 

Ecoya Sweet Fruits and Pink Champagne Candle, limited edition**-I've only owned one Ecoya candle before and when I smelt this one in Freedom the other day I was sold. It combines some of my favourite scents; grapefruit, guava and passionfruit as well as sweet notes of champagne. It's just beautiful. This mini size is great too if you're like me and take forever to burn through candles. They'd make lovely stocking stuffers too. Santa, if you're reading I would not object to a backup of this one..

-What have you been loving lately?

*PR Sample
**Purchased with a gift card
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New In: The American Beauty Edition
11/16/2015

New In: The American Beauty Edition




A few months back my lovely American pal Hannah and I did a swap of all things beauty, food and magazine related from our respective countries. It was kinda a belated birthday present session in a way, but also a chance for us to try some of one another's favourite things. She sent me over a ton of beauty products so I thought I'd do some little mini reviews of them for y'all here. This is part one of two, and I have to say I've loved using a lot of these so far. Here are my thoughts...

Marc Jacobs New Nudes Sheer Lip Gel in Understudy-First things first*, this definitely isn't a sheer lipstick in the slightest so I'm not entirely sure why it has that name. Names aside though, I really like this lipstick. It's the perfect nudey pink with a hint of peachiness to it. It's one of those colours you can whip on and not do too much thinking about, and for that reason alone I can see it becoming a fast favourite.

Milani Baked Blush in Dolce Pink-Milani's baked blushers are hyped for a reason. Aside from being a pretty decent dupe for the Hourglass Ambient Lighting blushers, they're just gorgeous products. Dolce Pink reminds me of Nars Orgasm but with less shimmer particles and a much more flattering colour. These really brighten up the complexion and are so beautiful. I'd be surprised if anyone tried these blushers and didn't like them.

Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow in Sand-These shadows are similar in texture to the Mac Extra Dimension shadows. Their cushiony texture leaves them softer than some of the other drugstore shadows out there. Bella Sand is a great neutral shade to add a hint of colour to the lids without going crazy. It also works well as a base colour for adding things over the top such as shimmery shadows or pigments. I really like the packaging on these too, they're so easy to store.

Wet N Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Set in Comfort Zone-I wish we had Wet N Wild in New Zealand. Their products are so affordable and the ones I've tried haven't disappointed me. This palette gets a lot of love from beauty bloggers and it's easy to see why. They may not be the most amazing eyeshadows on earth but they're pretty fantastic for the price you pay. The pigmentation is strong and they're easy to blend. I like how each shadow is labeled with its use which I think is a great thing for anyone just getting into makeup. I'm definitely going to be busting those earthier shadows out soon too, just to push myself out of my comfort zone. See what I did there?

Milani Fierce Foils Eye Palette in Milan-This is one of those products you'll either love or hate. People expecting a dupe for the Stila Magnificent Metals shadows may be left a touch disappointed as these aren't anywhere near as pigmented. The darker shades deliver but the paler shades are more glittery than anything else. In saying that, I still like this palette. The shadows have a cream to powder finish and look so pretty over other shadows for a touch of sparkle. 

-Have you tried any of these beauty bits before? What did you think of them?

*I'm the realest.. 

Oh and side note if you're still reading this, I posted a new video over on my channel so check it out here if you're interested+into bookish goodness.
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Thinking Like A Designer: The One Where I Don't Quit My Day Job
11/13/2015

Thinking Like A Designer: The One Where I Don't Quit My Day Job




I can't believe it's been nearly a month since I started the Fashion Industry Essentials course. The weeks are just flying by! Today I start topic three which is all about fashion production and leads on nicely from the work I have just done around fashion design and getting into that designer mindset...

Now I will be honest, this is the topic that daunted me the most and is the one I was not sure I'd get along with. I love fashion but designing items just isn't for me. For one; I cannot sketch to save my life. I prefer to admire fashion from a safe, non-sewing machine and fabric filled distance. In saying that, this module really has given me a much greater appreciation for all the work and craftsmanship that goes into design and fashion collections. One point that really stood out to me was that while ready-to-wear collections are extremely important, designers often generate the most profit from their accessories that sit alongside collections or their wider brand. So while it's important to think about collections, it's also key to make sure your accessory lines are just as strong. 

The assignments for this topic were much more creative and for those who want to get into fashion design I think they will have been really beneficial. That isn't to say I haven't found the assignments in this part of the course helpful, I did enjoy getting my creative hat on. I was just a bit intimidated by them because I know that my drawing abilities are lackluster but hey, we cannot all be good at everything right? 

Each topic in the Fashion Industry course has a careers section where we get to hear from designers, people at Parsons and Teen Vogue sharing their insights into how they got to where they are. Unsurprisingly, the Teen Vogue staff are my favourite to listen to but they all have really useful advice for everyone looking to break in to the fashion industry. Maybe without stealing the goods from the beauty closet though.... We got to check out their LinkedIn profiles and then explore job listings to start thinking about what credentials we'd need among other things. It's also a way for us to connect with our classmates too. Speaking of, if you want to read more about this course, head on over to Louise's blog. She's also doing write-ups for Teen Vogue about the experience too.

*As always, if you have any questions about this course, feel free to ask them. I've had a couple of emails from people and some questions on my last post as well.
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An Indie Store Haul
11/11/2015

An Indie Store Haul



I do love a good haul and excuse to support smaller, independent stores. Whether they're local or online, they're often packed with unique treasures and you're bound to find something special for yourself or someone else. In this case, it was more of a 'treat yo self' moment although I did buy someone a Christmas present from one of these places. Anyway, on with the haul...


-Rookie Yearbook Four, purchased from Time Out Books-This was another gem of a book released last month and I ordered mine in from Time Out as soon as I heard they were getting it. The Rookie yearbooks contain a mishmash of content from Rookie's site over the last year, curated by Tavi Gevinson and her team. There's also a bunch of bonus content from rad people like Lorde, Emma Roberts, Florence Welch and more. As well as all that, each section is beautifully presented, illustrated and an absolute visual feast. Side note: if you are in Auckland and find yourself in Mt Eden. Go to Time Out. You won't regret it. 

-Mint+Gold Planner, purchased from Nouvelle Daily-Now this sold out super fast and I'm not too sure where else they're available from. If I find that out though I will let you know. I've already purchased a diary for next year but I like to keep my blog calendar+planning separate which is where this planner comes in. It's not dated so you could technically use it whenever you wish but I'm going to be busting it out next year for all my blog planning+other creative things. 


-Holly Golightly watercolour portrait by Oh Gosh Cindy-This is fast becoming one of my favourite Etsy stores. I'm currently trying to convince myself that I do not need to buy Christmas cards from here although it's not going too well. How beautiful is this Audrey Hepburn print? I'm still hunting for the perfect, plain frame for it so it can shine in all its glory on my wall. There's a heap of other awesome prints with rad ladies and gents of pop culture land featured in her store so you're bound to find something that'll take your fancy.

-Moonrise Kingdom Suzy card-Moonrise Kingdom is one of my favourite films and Suzy Bishop's my favourite character from the film. Her wardrobe, love of cats and fondness for books and records just appeals to me, y'know? There's not much more to this purchase really. 

*Have you picked up any goodies from independent stores lately? What are your favourite indie stores?
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Beauty Gift Ideas: The YouTube Edition
11/09/2015

Beauty Gift Ideas: The YouTube Edition




This time of year is really when the beauty brands come alive and release a whole bevvy of wonderful, limited edition treats for us all to admire and treat ourselves or others with. In recent years we've seen some of the British beauty vlogging set launch their own beauty ranges and they're all pretty darn lovely. While not all of these are strictly Christmas items, I thought they'd all still make lovely gift ideas. They're cheap and cheerful too which is always a winner in my books too. Anyway, on with the beauty bits...


Zoella Beauty Mini Fizz Bar Trio-Now this is one of the Christmas releases from Zoe's body+beauty brand this year. Her fizz bars are designed to look like bars of chocolate and the idea is you break a square off and throw it into your bath. It doesn't do anything crazy, but you are left with a relaxing scent to enjoy whilst you soak. A set like this would be great because you could always gift the three separate fizzers to different people and make your money go a little bit further. 

Fleur De Force Lipgloss in Little Star-Fleur's beauty linw is one of my favourites and I love how personal her range all feels. She's released a range of lipglosses and also some eyeshadow quads+beauty accessories. Little Star is a gorgeous, peachy pink. Her glosses have a cake-like scent to them which will appeal to the younger set but there's a wide variety of colours here to keep everybody happy. 


Fleur De Force Eyeshadow Quad in Cosmic Bronze-The star of Fleur's new range may just be her eyeshadow palettes. There's this palette and also a more pinky-toned quad to choose from. I couldn't decide between the two so I may just have to go back and get the other one online at some stage. These eyeshadows are so pigmented and just glide onto the lids. They're all really easy to blend and these colours complement each other nicely. The lighter matte shades may not be as pigmented but for the price you pay for this palette, they're pretty darn decent. Side note: All Fleur's products are cruelty free as well which is something that was important to her. 

Tanya Burr Lipgloss in Lunch Date-Out of all the more wallet-friendly gloss offerings, Tanya's have to be my favourite. I think I've gone through two or three of them now, and this one is my latest. It was finally back in stock, after selling out which could be down to the Anna-factor. I can see why it's so popular though. This nude shade is so easy to wear on its own or thrown over your everyday nude lipstick. It's not too tacky and as Anna says, it's basically Mac's Patisserie lipstick in gloss form so it gets major brownie points. If you want to play it safe, I think neutral shadows or glosses are the way to go. Choose colours depending on what sort of skintone she has or what colours you know she'd typically go for.

*Have you tried any of these YouTuber beauty products? What did you think of them?
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My Week in Pictures #12
11/06/2015

My Week in Pictures #12




This week I've been thinking a lot about expectations and the standards we set for ourselves. I always enjoy doing these photographic roundups but I got to the middle of the week and nearly canned this altogether because I decided my life wasn't visually interesting enough. There's been a bit in the media lately about the deception that can come with a digital life and don't get me wrong, I don't want to deceive anyone into thinking my life is amazing to the next lev. I do these posts because I love them and it gets me using my camera and being creative. They shouldn't have to be aesthetically pleasing and dreamy 24/7 because life isn't necessarily that way. I'm going to be taking it back to basics and documenting what I love and feel excited about in the weeks to come. A snapshot taken with no pressure, no personal expectations and no doubts. Here's to the candid life...

(Above)-This picture's quite apt given that introduction. I took the time to look up yesterday afternoon. The trees and clouds make me feel so zen.



-A little bit of Trade Aid shopping. It's so good having one of their stores not too far from where I live. The chocolate is actually for my Dad for his birthday but I'll be stealing some.

-The inside cover of the Alice's Adventures in Wonderland book, illustrated by Anna Bond. It's the most beautiful book on earth. 



-Cake inspiration from Amelia Ferrier, recipe notes and Kit Kats. I'm making a banana cake today with chocolate ganache, crushed Kit Kat sprinkled over the top and sprinkles to decorate. I hardly ever make cakes but they're one of my favourite things to bake so I'm looking forward to it.

-This little bag contained some sunscreen I was sent from Oasis earlier in the week. A lot of PR packages come relatively plainly packaged so it was nice to see something more unique and personal like this.



-Oops, iHerb happened. I'll be talking more about those Real Techniques products at some stage so keep an eye out for that. Those salted caramel coconut chips came at the recommendation of xLivLovesMakeup and they were so good. I'm not a huge fan of coconut on its own but these were amazing

-A lil' library haul from yesterday. On my drive out here I saw the most stunning wildflowers. If I hadn't been on a time schedule I would've pulled over and taken pictures but there's always another day for that.

*Have an amazing weekend everyone! Today I am cake baking, working on my work for the 'Think Like A Designer' module of my course, more on that next week, and also doing some other work related things. This weekend's gonna be more low-key but I am going to the Sarah J Maas interview+signing on Sunday in Auckland which I'm looking forward to. Even if I know nobody, I love getting to meet authors. See y'all on Monday with a beauty post! x
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Christmas Beauty Ideas x New Zealand
11/04/2015

Christmas Beauty Ideas x New Zealand




The Christmas products seem to be settling into their semi-permanent homes on many a shelf at the moment. That's not a bad thing if you're like me and love a bit of glitz and all the metallic, sparkly things. Today though it's time to get back to beauty, but this time we're taking more of a local approach. I don't talk about New Zealand beauty brands very often around these parts, which is something I am trying to do more of when I can. This year is quite possibly one of the first times we're seeing more Christmas gift sets from the local brands too which is exciting. Today I thought I'd talk to you about a couple of gift sets you can shop right now..


Karen Murrell Christmas Gift Set*-My first introduction to the Karen Murrell brand was several years ago when I sent a friend one of her lipsticks. It wasn't until this year though that I'd actually used some of her lipsticks myself. This colour has fast become one of my favourites. Her Christmas gift set is so beautiful though. It comes packaged in an adorable box with copper detailing. It's all in the details obvs. You get two of her lipsticks in the shades Camellia Morning and Rymba Rhythm as well as three charm bracelets. 

Ideal for: A teenage girl or lipstick loving lady. The colours can be applied quite sheerly so they're ideal for someone who is just getting into makeup as well as the person who likes a bolder lip. 


Trilogy Rosapene Beauty Collection*-Trilogy is such a well-loved skincare brand here and worldwide. Apparently Kate Middleton uses their rosehip oil and I know other celebrities are fans of their products too. I love their moisturisers and you get two of those in this set to try, a day cream and a night cream. You also get the full sized rosehip oil in there too and it comes beautifully packaged. Skincare's more on the pricier side so this is such good value and the travel sizes would be perfect for Summer holidays and for someone who likes a compact product to take away.

Ideal for: The jetsetter, skincare obsessive or your Mum. I can imagine this set would be well received by anyone fortunate enough to be gifted it come Christmas day.

-What beauty gifts do you like to buy as Christmas presents?

*PR Sample
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November Reading List
11/02/2015

November Reading List



 October was a pretty darn good month for new releases so it's no surprise that three of the four books featured here were released during that month. I actually acquired nine new release books last month which is probably the most of the entire year. Today it's all about the memoirs, the classics and a new spin on an old favourite. Here's what's on November's Reading List..

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath-Classic books rarely make their way into my hands, which is bad. I feel like you have to be in the right mood for them, especially if they're a bit more demanding. Austen, here's looking at you. This semi-autobiographical novel follows Esther, a young woman who receives an internship at a prominent magazine in New York but ends up having a mental breakdown during her time there. I'll be honest, I don't know much about this book but I think it was one of the first to explore mental illness, which is why it was so revolutionary for its time.

Binge by Tyler Oakley*-Tyler Oakley has long been one of my favourite YouTubers. There's just something about him that is so appealing, maybe it's his constant positivity. He always seems happy and like such a nice guy. I'm yet to find someone who doesn't like Tyler so maybe it's a universal truth. Well, he's released a book where he reveals all. Just when you thought you knew everything about him from his videos. There's so much more to Tyler and a heap of stories that he reveals for the first time in Binge. I'm reading this at the moment and it's fantastic. Hilarious, at times a little bit cringe but so real and refreshing. 

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell-Now I wasn't going to read this book because in all honesty, I don't remember enjoying the fanfiction segments of Fangirl, where this story originated. Something about it intrigued me though and the booktube community seem to love it so I'm trusting their opinions. Carry On tells the story of Simon Snow, a young wizard at the Watford School of Magicks. It all sounds somewhat Harry Potter inspired which I am keen for. Hopefully it doesn't disappoint.

Reckoning by Magda Szubanski*-Many of you will know Magda as Sharon Strezelecki from Kath and Kim. It holds a special place in my heart as the show I watched growing up and really formed my appreciation for comedy. Anyway, she's bought out a book and there is so much more to this comic legend than her comedic skills. She has a whole heap of stories, from growing up in Australia with her Polish father and Irish mother, to coming to terms with her sexuality. It's such a fascinating, insightful read and I've not read a memoir quite like it before. This is one of those books to take away to the beach or gift someone for Christmas. They'll love it.

-What will you be reading during November?

*Review copy
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